Myth: If Someone Dies by Suicide, Others Will, Too
Although copycat suicides and suicide clusters exist, it’s not a guarantee that one death by suicide will cause multiple others.
Fact: Suicidal Behavior Can Be Contagious
Media coverage matters when a suicide occurs. Glamorizing the death and providing too many details makes it more likely that others will imitate the event.
Learn More
If you’re a member of the media –or an individual with a voice – reporting on a suicide, consider reviewing the guidelines available at https://ReportingOnSuicide.org to get helpful guidance on what may cause harm and what you can do to avoid it.
Caring for communities who have lost someone to suicide is called “postvention.” While it’s normally reserved for close connections, like family and friends, postvention is an important framework for interacting with the bereaved regardless of whether they had a social or even parasocial relationship with the deceased.
Evidence
There is insufficient precision in the language being used, but there are factors related to how a suicide fatality is handled that can impact others.
In Support of the Myth
"Suicide Clusters and Media Exposure" in Suicide Over the Life Cycle (1990)
Contagion is a factor – but not the only factor. There is susceptibility to consider: some may react to poor reporting but only those who are already susceptible.
To Refute the Myth
"The Clustering and Contagion of Suicide" (1999)
Clustering isn’t contagion.
Unclear or Mixed Support
"Suicide Contagion: A Systematic Review of Definitions and Research Utility" (2014)
Lack of clear definition between clusters and contagion makes it difficult to reach a clear conclusion.
Learn more about suicide myths – and the truths behind them – by following the links below.